Study Supports Spinal Manipulation for Relieving Low Back Pain

Living with chronic low back pain is no way to live. Everything from exercise to simply sitting down can be extremely painful. Many people with low back problems need to significantly change their daily routines to avoid the excruciating pain common movements can cause. One of the main ways a chiropractor can help with this kind of discomfort is through SMT (Spinal Manipulative Therapy). A recent JAMA study has shed light on why this method is so helpful and how the chiropractic community is taking steps to ensure the best possible care for their patients.

An Alternative to Evasive Surgeries and Prescription Drugs

There are a number of reasons this review is extremely exciting, not the least of which is that SMT could be a reliable alternative to back surgeries and/or the use of drug therapy to help cope with the pain. In fact, the American College of Physicians recently released new guidelines for low back pain treatment, which makes the same recommendation. The ACA (American Chiropractic Association) was quick to formally approve a resolution to adopt these new standards, along with chiropractic-specific practices from the Clinical Compass. One reason the ACA gave for their decision was our country’s current opioid crisis. President David Herd, DC, cited the risk of dependency as playing a role in these new guidelines.

Toward a Greater Consensus Regarding Chiropractic Care

Another benefit of these recent studies that Dr. Herd mentioned in his statement was how adopting these guidelines will help grow a greater consensus amongst:

Chiropractors

Patients

Other Health Care Providers

Policy Makers

Insurance Companies

This would include methods for pain treatment, as well as management and co-management solutions.

Are You Struggling Because of Low Back Pain?

No one should have to limit their lives because of chronic low back pain. According to a Gallup survey from 2016, more than 35 million Americans sought pain relief from a chiropractor over the course of the prior year. That’s 25% of the population. Over the course of their entire lifetimes, 65% of us will seek professional care because of neck or back pain. If you’re one of the millions of people who are having a hard time getting through the day because of their low back issues, make an appointment with your local chiropractor right away. You could already feel a major difference after just one visit without having to undergo major surgery or take a prescription medication.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Riding Your Bike to Work

The government wants to start encouraging more people to take their bike to work. No, this isn’t in response to efforts to halt the progression of global climate change and to save the environment. The reason the government is promoting this is because of the awesome health benefits. According to recent studies, riding to work can reduce a person’s chances of:

Developing cancer

Dying prematurely

Being diagnosed with heart disease

The numbers are quite astonishing. According to the UK’s Telegraph, the risk of premature death fell by 41% among those who regularly rode to work. Forbes reports that the study was done at the University of Glasgow, where they evaluated the health of over 260,000 people during a five year period. Those who cycled to work had a:

46% lower risk of developing heart disease

52% lower risk of dying from heart disease

45% lower risk of developing cancer

40% lower risk of dying from cancer

Since cancer and heart disease are the leading causes of death in many countries – including the U.S. – it stands to reason that people would do anything they can to reduce their risks. Now they have proof that something as simple as cycling to work can lower the risk significantly. Why not give it a try for yourself? Start out slow – replacing your car with your bike as your mode of transport one day a week, then two, then three, and so on. With results like these, you’ll be happy you did!

Stop Drinking Soda & Coffee for Energy – Climb the Stairs Instead!

Drinking coffee first thing in the morning may seem like the logical way to perk up low energy levels. Researchers have found, though, that caffeine – either from soda, energy drinks, coffee, or tea – has less of an effect on a person’s energy as does physical activity. The physical activity promoted in this recent study: stair climbing. Climbing the stairs may be the last thing a person wants to do when they’ve had a long night, but according to a study in Reuters, taking the stairs has a more profound effect on energy than caffeine. The study followed young, busy women, as this is a demographic that is largely often sleep deprived. The women in the study averaged less than 6.5 hours of sleep each night. Some of the women were given a placebo, others a 50mg dose of caffeine, and the last group had to climb stairs for 10 minutes. After this, they were asked to describe their level of energy, and were also tested for cognitive awareness and function. This included testing their memory and reaction times. The women who climbed the stairs felt significantly more energized, particularly right after their exercise. According to Men’s Health, the activity didn’t reduce the participant’s cognitive function, which means that when a person exerts themselves physically they don’t exhaust themselves mentally. Medical News Today reports that the participants even had greater motivation to work after their jaunt up the stairs. So, after a sleepless night – ditch the caffeine and hit the stairs. You’ll feel better!